Donations Pour in at Fundraisers for Winlock Family Devastated by Fatal Fire

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The throaty rumble of more than 50 motorcycles rolled through the quiet streets of Toledo Saturday as bikers from around the state rode off in a fundraiser for the victims of a Winlock fire that killed a woman and two girls.

In total, 53 motorcycles and 83 bikers rode in the First Street Fire Benefit Ride poker fun run on Saturday, and more than 100 people attended a lunch at Winlock Miller Elementary.

In total, the two events raised more than $11,000.

The day started with a breakfast buffet and the afternoon finished with a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and live music from two local bands. All of the proceeds went to the Cuvreau family, the victims of a house fire on Northeast First Street in Winlock wherein three people were killed in late February.

Samantha Koehler, 31, Bethany Cuvreau, 4, and Tabitha Cuvreau, 2, all died as a result of asphyxia due to smoke inhalation in the fire that destroyed the house.

“We want to raise as much money we can to make a nice home so they have a soft place to fall,” poker run co-organizer Brandie Devine said the day of the ride.

The motorcycle ride brought in around $7,000, according to event organizers.

The day began and ended at the St. Helens Tap House in Toledo.

Although rain clouds wrestled with the sunshine for control of the sky, the spotty weather didn't appear to stop anyone from completing the 75-mile loop through Toledo, Castle Rock and Winlock.

About midway through the day, the ride stopped in Winlock and was escorted out by the city’s fire department.

According to Devine, motorcycle clubs from around Western Washington from as far as Vancouver, Packwood and Seattle joined in the ride. At $25 per poker run participant, the organizers were hoping to have at least 100 riders join in.

Although the final tally was about 83 participants, Devine said the number of donations more than made up for the missing riders.

“One club from Seattle donated $300 on top of the signup fees,” she said.

After dropping off the donations, the group turned around and drove right back to the city to attend a funeral, she said.

While the bikers rolled down the highway, there was a rummage sale, lunch fundraiser and silent auction happening at the Winlock Miller Elementary school. Normally a quiet place on the weekends, the elementary school cafeteria and gym were bustling with families eating lunch and children running about.

“We served about 150 meals,” said Tami Smith.

She and Ann Rubert organized the event at the school because they have children who attend school with the two boys who escaped the fire.

Numerous businesses donated between $50 and $100 in products or cash to help fund the lunch. The elementary kitchen staff even volunteered their time to serve either pulled pork or hot dog platters.

All told, the events at Winlock Elementary brought in about $4,300.

While people trickled out of the cafeteria and into the gym carrying plates of food, others brought in boxes and boxes of books, clothes and furniture as donations to the rummage sale.

“It’s just neat,” Smith said, commenting on the support the community showed throughout the day. “It’s been strangers coming up and giving hugs saying this is wonderful.”